Off we go to the Green Mountains

"I felt more at home in these mountains than I had anywhere in my life, and I didn't want to leave" ~ Jannifer Hanson

05th May 2016

Mountains have never failed to make me feel like home. Living in a foreign country approximately 1,900 miles away from my native land, I never knew there was a place here that can make me feel closer to home. Well, it was a long holiday and too good to waste at home. So family and friends, a group of 13 adults and 2 kids, took off to the mountains.

Starting from the usual gathering point in Ruwi at 9 a.m., the three vehicles drove through the city passing Rusayl, Murayrat, Fanja, Al Farara and many other villages with beautiful backdrops. With one stop for breakfast for approx. 45min, we reached the bottom of the mountain range close to 11a.m. From the military secured entrance, we began the climb to the mountains.

The Jebel Akhdar (meaning "the Green Mountain"), is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range in Ad Dakhiliyah, Sultanate of Oman. Nearly 150km from Muscat, Jebel Akdhar is the central section of the mountain range. The elevations receive a precipitation of around 300mm annually that supports the growth of shrubs, trees and local agricultural purposes.

At the checkpoint

It should be noted that only SUVs are allowed beyond the checkpoint due to safety reasons. 

The three vehicles en route

The three vehicles going uphill

The drive uphill was amazing. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the most if you are seated in the passenger seat. The view on either sides of the road was simply breathtaking. At every viewpoint there were notices that informed travelers of the height above sea level and a description of the view. Sceneries of petty villages, agricultural projects and many more mountain ranges were seen on either sides of the route.

By 12.45p.m we reached our destination which was the Al Jebel Al Akhdar Hotel. Built on the edge of a cliff, this hotel is a relaxing haven for travelers. With a most exotic view, peaceful environment, the cool breeze humming from all sides and sincere hospitality of the staff, this place has taken maximum efforts to keep their visitors at comfort.

The Al Jebel Al Akdhar Hotel

After lunch and a small nap, a game of cards and tea we left the hotel for site seeing. Within a 30minute drive from the hotel, going further uphill, we arrived at Wadi Bani Habib. Located at a height of 2000m above sea level, the Wadi is now an abandoned Omani village. This deserted village across a plateau consists of dwellings built with clay and stones. Even though there is no sign of life there now, the remnants still sing the way of life in those ancient days.

The steps that took us halfway across the plateau

The rustling sounds of the leaves, occasional chirps and tweets of the birds, the silence and the wilderness are a few of the luxuries one gets to experience on this hike. The hike across this plateau is most exciting. A flight of approx. 180 steps takes you halfway across the plateau. From there it becomes a more difficult hike. At the bottom of the steps is a stone path that shows enough evidence to believe it had once been a river. 
Crossing that and a narrow channel that might have been the irrigation system that supported the distribution of water for agriculture, we came to a steeper elevation with no steps. Clinging on to stones, branches and helping hands of the troop we climbed to the top. There we could see the dwellings. Inside it were chambers that could have once been a kitchen, a bedroom, a storeroom, etc. One house even had a backyard with a fireplace.

Far beyond this point we could see many more houses that could have a made a petty village ages ago. Collecting pictures as memories we climbed down the hill, crossed the stone path and climbed the steps back bringing the hike to an end.

On our way back to the hotel

With one stop on the way to enjoy the cool weather and a hot cup of coffee, we reached the hotel by 7.30p.m., tired and hungry. The hotel served a buffet with a delicious spread.

The digital wall-thermometer hung in the lobby read as 19°C. It was cold and windy outside. A walk in the garden summed up this perfect getaway making me wanting to stay in mountains for good. The serenity in the surrounding, the picturesque mountains and the most wanted relaxation after the busy days spent in the city, only makes you want to never leave.

But all good things come to an end. So, the following day morning after enjoying a scrumptious breakfast buffet, it was finally time for us to leave. Coming downhill only took us 40minutes and by 10.40a.m we were back on the road.

There’s more to see, definitely more to explore. The mountains will call for me again, and when it does, I shall definitely go. 

Ila liqaa (See you again)

Wathsala Perera 

**The tour - on a map